3.0 d e53 X5 wont start

[nelo]

Hi Folks after thinking all was well with the truck new battery new Maf sensor and culprit ended up being cam shaft sensor been fine for a while now got in this morning went to start all lights on no warnings
car wont start not even a click tried both keys and still nothing even tried a booster as thought might be batt no chance
i am going home with my tester tonight as i think might elec problem but would anyone have any ideas as to where to start immobilizer is ok i think red light stops blinking when i unlock
but just dont know where to start looking the keys i have are a brand new one from BMW and an original with a new battery installed
any help would be mush appreciated
thanks lee

[themoog]

I had exactly the same fault with my 4.4 this time last year. Running fine etc then next morning- coincidentally- much colder than previous days, like today, the chuffing thing wouldn't start. Booster/ jump- nothing. Battery died suddenly. New one on. Sorted.
Even though you had a new battery it could still be faulty.

[nelo]

Hi Moog
i will get the tester on it tonight to see what its holding but on the dash this morning was reading 11.8V all electrics worked fin radio lights heated seats the lot
so a bit confused what could cause this

cheers lee 

[strummer]

11.8v is low should be 12.5 at least I would think

[nelo]

hi strummer taking tester home tonight and having a look did put a booster on as well but still no crank

cheers lee 

[grumpywurzel]

Like Strummer has said 11.8v is low, unfortunately like most modern cars the control electrics are looking for the correct voltage otherwise nothing happens.

Have you got the correct battery? How old is it?  Cold weather is a killer.

[nelo]

Hi Wurzel
battery is only 5 mths old bosch silver type not a cheap one either
so don't know where to look first
did put a booster on car and still nothing which is odd as booster should definatley had enough juice to start car sip booster

any more ideas are much appreciated
thanks lee

[strummer]

could well be a duff battery check it for voltage with and without booster may not be taking a charge

[henrym3]

Have sort of lost faith in expensive Bosch batteries My 5 year guarantee Bosch lasted 7 months in the R32. Took 2 visits to GSF for them to agree. Replaced battery with new 5 year but with only 4 year warranty because I'd nearly used up 1 year already?? Said it was Bosch policy. Sadly it probably won't bankrupt Bosch if I don't buy any more of their batteries. 

[X5Sport]

As above, there have been a lot of premature failures with Bosch recently.  Anything below 12.4 with the car off, and read under the bonnet (jump points) indicates a battery issue.

Don't read via the on board system as that puts the battery under load and may skew the figures.  No substitute for a proper multimeter.

A bad battery should result in the lights dimming when the starter is engaged and an obvious click as the solenoid kicks in.  No clicking from the starter/solenoid might indicate a different issue which could be the starter solenoid sticking/failed, bad earth connection starter to body, wire off the solenoid connector.  The starter is below the inlet manifold if memory serves.

E53 starters are also a known weak spot, especially if a 2002-2005 build with a Magnetti-Marelli starter.  Winding failures mean either excess load drawn, or no crank.  Replacement is the only choice.  About £200 with a refundable surcharge for a Bosch unit from Eurocarparts.  Changed the one on my E53 and more recently E46 with the same engine.

[grumpywurzel]

So what was the voltage at the test/jump start points with everything turned off, key out of the ignition?

[Steamyrotter]

Ignition switches are not infallible either...
Google it and you will see many posts on them....

Not saying it is that, but is another option and as far as i remember, an easy one to swap out.

[nelo]

Hi Guys

sorry for the late reply well low and behold got home with tester and torch to bell out the fuses but thought i would give it a whirl to see if started and it did pre heating came up on the dash went off and it started no problem i stopped and started it about 15 times and started every time have been using my van for a few days as didn't fancy getting stuck somewhere and the car wouldn't start but have come to work today and didn't miss a beat so going to get it to local garage i know the lads to put on their computer to see if there are any fault codes and will report back
cheers for all the replies
regards
lee

[X5Sport]

After that number if starts it probably is flat now....... O:-)